New on the Scene: Dining 15 new restaurants

Make your fall dining plans around these September openings

September 29, 2009|By M. Kathleen Pratt and Erin Osmon and M. Kathleen Pratt is the Metromix dining producer. Erin Osmon is a Metromix special contributor.

A rush of new neighborhood spots rounded out high-profile restaurant openings from the likes of Rick Bayless (Xoco) and New York's Sandoval brothers (Mercadito) this month. Get the scoop on the neighborhood spots here, then go to metromix.com to read our First Looks of Xoco and Mercadito.

Gemini Bistro

2075 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-525-2522

Chef Jason Paskewitz has done the downtown thing (Wave), the Weed Street thing (JP Chicago) and even the suburban thing (The 621 Diner). Now he's gone the neighborhood route with this chic Lincoln Park bistro, where the dinner menufocuses on American classics with French and Italian influences. Thoughofferingswill change seasonally, options might include duck confit nachos; steamed mussels with pancetta, white wine and herbs; and steak frites.

Knew

2556 W. Fullerton Ave. 773-772-7721

Omar Rodriguez and Ryvkah Goodman-Rodriguez, the husband-wife team behind Bucktown's recently shuttered Think, have moved on to open this eclectic American BYOB in Logan Square, where Rodriguez's slightly more high-end menu focuses on free-range and organic game. Otherspecialties includelobster-stuffed, truffle oil-drizzled endive; and homemade pasta tossed with lobster, mascarpone and fresh mint.

Orvieto

2200 N. Ashland Ave. 773-395-0066

The ritz and glitz of now-shuttered Lincoln Park eatery Green Dolphin Street gives way to practicality and lower price points at this casual Italian spot, which occupies the east side of the still-hoppin' Green Dolphin Street club complex.Italy-trained chef Nino Coronas' menu centers on thin-crust pizzas baked in a direct-from-Italy oven, as well as other traditional Northern Italian specialties.

Rustico Grill

2515 N. California Ave. 773-235-0002

Raul Arreola, the chef behind North Side BYOB Mixteco Grill, expands his reach to Logan Square with this Mexican spot in the former Rustik space. The menu is nearly identical to Mixteco's, with an emphasis on Oaxacan moles, as well as carne asada, cochinita pibil and other grilled and roasted meat dishes. But there's one major distinction: Rustico has a liquor license, with tequila options aplenty.

Recent September openings:

- Blue Ocean, sushi and contemporary Japanese fare in Ravenswood

- Ch'ava, cafe fare and sandwiches that go beyond the basics in Ravenswood

- Havana, pan-Latin eats and cocktails in River North

- Halsted Street Deli/Original Rainbow Cone, two old Chicago favorites, together in the Loop